Headlines

Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.

Surveillance footage of poaching incident at Orofino Elementary School

Idaho Man Poaches Deer On Elementary School Lawn, Then Comes Back For Carcass

In a case that a wildlife officer described as "crazy" and “a first for me,” an Idaho man allegedly shot a deer on an elementary school lawn after dark, left for about two hours, and then came back and loaded the deer’s carcass into his pickup.

Mark HeinzFebruary 23, 2026

“Many of you have probably heard of the ‘Art of the Deal,’” House Majority Floor Leader Scott Heiner, R-Green River, began during the Saturday debate. “The only real leverage we have is the power of the purse.”

University Of Wyoming Pushes Back On Budget Cuts: "No Cuts Are Appropriate, Period"

The University of Wyoming on Monday said it disagrees with a House budget tweak that lawmakers framed as an 'Art-of-the-Deal' negotiation. “The university continues to oppose any cut. UW is adamant: No cuts are appropriate, period," said a spokesman.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2026

Photo from a Wyoming Highway Patrol Association first-person story called "The Thinning Blue Line"

“I Want My Husband To Quit”: Highway Patrol Families Say Low Pay Creating Crisis

Wyoming troopers and their families say low pay, lost overtime and short staffing are driving burnout and resignations. The Wyoming Highway Patrol Association's first-ever social media blitz — run by a 25-year veteran who doesn't use Facebook — has gone viral.

David MadisonFebruary 23, 2026

Dorothy Pontillo of Cheyenne had just turned a year old when she was diagnosed with cancer. The tumor had been lurking undetected in her body since conception, and it took months of treatment to remove the cancer.

Victory: Cheyenne Toddler Born With Cancer Spent First 18 Months Fighting For Life

Born with cancer, toddler Dorothy Pontillo suffered months of pain before an MRI found a massive tumor. Her parents’ persistence and help from a group that helps families with medical bills helped Dorothy survive. Now she's happy and pain-free.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 23, 2026

The story of a local man running a wolf down with a snowmobile, then taping its mouth shut and displaying it in a local bar before killing it has stirred global outrage and has put the small rural Wyoming town of Daniel in the crosshairs of a storm of anger and indignation.

Letter To The Editor: Decent Guys Don’t Torture Animals

Dear editor: The torture of a wolf by Cody Roberts is not an isolated incident of individual depravity. It is the logical outcome of a system that has normalized violence toward predators.

CSD StaffFebruary 23, 2026

Rep. Mike Yin said he believes the judicial branch will halt the heartbeat ban if it passes, and abortion will remain altogether legal in Wyoming. (file photo)

Wyoming House Rejects Attempt To Make Abortion Ban 'Viability' Instead Of ‘Hearbeat'

A bill to ban abortions in Wyoming after the point at which a heartbeat can be heard remains unchanged after lawmakers tried to tweak it Monday. Rep. Mike Yin said he believes the judicial branch will halt the ban if it passes, and abortion will remain legal.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 23, 2026

Uinta County rancherJack Sims is seeing signs of new life in Evanston. New restaurants have opened, new businesses have opened, and he believes that is thanks, in no small part, to the growing role of the horse racing industry.

Horseracing Is Sparking An Equine Economic Boom In Evanston

Uinta County rancher Jack Sims says there are new signs of life in Evanston thanks to the horse racing industry. “There’s over 300 brood mares in the Wyoming breeding program around Evanston,” Sims said. “And it’s bringing a lot of money to this county.”

Renée JeanFebruary 23, 2026

Wyoming State Capitol on Monday, February 23, 2026

Letter To The Editor: Bill Creates Unnecessary Risk For Wyoming Recreation Districts

Dear editor: House Bill 127, now before the Wyoming Legislature, would change how recreation districts are funded statewide. While procedural in appearance, the bill would introduce significant instability into systems that have operated responsibly for decades.

February 23, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Monday, February 23, 2026

Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.

Jake NicholsFebruary 23, 2026

After photo of Mary Ann Murphy, Patient at Aspen Ridge Dental.

“I Didn’t Realize How Much My Teeth Were Negatively Impacting My Life”

How a routine dental visit uncovered the root of years of pain and discomfort.

February 23, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video Newscast: Monday, February 23, 2026

Monday's headlines include: Chancy Williams' Fiddler Crossover Day At Legislature Remembering Cheyenne's Cloud 9

Mac WatsonFebruary 23, 2026

Laramie’s 1937 Hitchcock House was once home to University of Wyoming presidents. Not quite a mansion, the nearly 5,000-square-foot house has hit the market, listing at $1.03 million.

Laramie Mini-Mansion, Former Home For UW Presidents, Hits The Market For $1 Million

Laramie’s 1937 Hitchcock House was once home to presidents at the University of Wyoming. Not quite a mansion, the nearly 5,000-square-foot house has hit the market, listing at $1.03 million.

Renée JeanFebruary 22, 2026

Gail Symons: Just Here For The Circus... In The House

Columnist Gail Symons writes, "The coming negotiation will not resemble a routine compromise. It will be the John Bear version versus the Senate version, with Wyoming’s fiscal stability in the balance. Watch the conference. Ask your legislators where they stand."

Gail SymonsFebruary 22, 2026

Cassie Craven: Signing Off

Columnist Cassie Craven writes, “There is a season for everything. Reading the Catholic Saints will remind you quickly that you may be called to suffer for truth. But politics, must never cost your soul. And, your first loyalty is to God, not to power, party or success.”

Cassie CravenFebruary 22, 2026

Elk might be regarded as walking septic tanks, insofar as the range of bacteria and other flora in their guts allows them to process all sorts of things that other animals, such as deer, might not be able to handle.

Did You Know? Elk Are Nature's Garbage Disposals, They'll Eat Anything

Elk could be regarded as walking septic tanks in that the range of bacteria in their gut allows them to eat things other animals can't handle. They have a multi-stomach digestive system and the first stomach is “essentially a fermentation vat."

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2026

Radiant Manufacturing of Rock Springs is the industry leader in giant sequin displays. In an increasingly digital world, its "old-school" sequin designs stand out with three-dimensional textures and dazzling movement.

Rock Springs Company Makes Giant Sequin Displays For The NFL, Disney, Coca-Cola

When the NFL, Disney and Coca-Cola want to make a dazzling "old school" impression, they call a Rock Springs number. That's where Radiant Manufacturing is located. The world's best known brands contract with Radiant for its patented sequin panel displays.

Andrew RossiFebruary 22, 2026

To ward off coyotes and other predators, some ranchers are attaching flashing ear tags to their livestock.

Ranchers Are Putting Flashing Lights On Cattle And Sheep To Keep Predators Away

Seeking a cheap and effective way to protect livestock from predators, Utah researchers think they have an answer — put flashing lights on sheep and cattle to scare them off. Critics say predators will get used to them and go back to killing livestock.

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2026

Lucas Rowley and staff at Rescue River work at their craft of making high-end fishing flies.

Casper Man Trades Tech Career For Rescuing Women In Uganda By Tying Fishing Flies

A Casper man traded his very successful tech career in Austin for a far different mission — rescuing sex-abused women in Uganda. He and his wife are teaching them to be self-sufficient by tying high-end fishing flies and selling them in the U.S.

Dale KillingbeckFebruary 22, 2026

Billings Animal Shelter Has New Home After PD Burned 200 Pounds Of Meth In Crematorium

The Billings animal shelter finally has a new home months after police flooded it with smoke from 200 pounds of meth burned in a shared crematorium. There still hasn’t been an answer to why the PD burned meth in a crematorium typically used for animals.

Anna-Louise JacksonFebruary 22, 2026

“A Deep Seat and a Long Rein” is a 15.5-foot-tall monument that stands in the new roundabout at Ivinson Avenue and 15th Street on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie.

The Story Behind Chris Navarro's 15-Foot Bronze Of Steamboat At U.W.

It took over a year for celebrated Wyoming bronze artist Chris Navarro to create the 15-foot sculpture of Steamboat located on the University of Wyoming campus. “It’s more than just a symbol of UW. It’s a symbol of Wyoming," Navarro said.

Andrew RossiFebruary 22, 2026

How A Classically Trained Violinist From Casper Became Chancey Williams' Fiddler

Brooke Latka was born and raised in Casper and classically trained as a violinist, but was drawn to the personality of country fiddle. For the past 17 years, she's been the fiddler for country music star Chancey Williams and his band.

Jackie DorothyFebruary 22, 2026

A pair of Wyoming college students were among the 300 extras cast in the sci-fi classic “Starship Troopers” 30 years ago. They recall hot days in Hell’s Half Acre doused with alien blood as dead bodies. “I want more blood!” the director would yell. Here, extra Melissa Parkinson poses for a photo in her suit during the filming.

30 Years Later: Looking Back On The Filming Of 'Starship Troopers'

30 years ago this summer, Melissa Parkinson and Tana Libolt landed the most unusual job they ever had. They were hired to be dead bodies at Hell’s Half Acre for the filming of 'Starship Troopers.' They were among 300 who answered a newspaper ad in Casper.

Renée JeanFebruary 22, 2026

Richard McCoy III and Chanté McCoy talk about their father's parachute during a presentation with Dan Gryder at the DTSB Aviation Safety Summit in Orlando in January 2026.

Part 4: Who Is D.B. Cooper? FBI’s ‘One-In-A-Billion’ Parachute Returns

Part 4 In A Series: A parachute found on D.B. Cooper suspect Richard McCoy’s family property was seized and tested by the FBI, then quietly returned in December, 2025, without explanation. The ambiguous action and closed lips from the FBI is fueling new theories about the notorious skyjacking.

Jen KocherFebruary 22, 2026

House Approves Raises For Wyoming State Employees

On Saturday evening a Wyoming Republican representative from Casper and a Democratic representative from Laramie found a way to get House approval for giving state employees raises. The move is not final but it stands a chance.

Clair McFarlandFebruary 22, 2026

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